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Satopanth Expeditions in Numbers

December 29, 2015

The word Satopanth literally means a good path. Satopanth peak shared the fifth spot with Yunam during 2010-14. Both were attempted eighteen times. However, Satopanth received both foreign and Indian expeditions unlike Yunam. Satopanth is a technically challenging peak whereas Yunam is a non-technical peak.

Geography

Location: Garhwal, Uttarakhand

Altitude: 7,075 meters / 23,211 feet

Shape: Trapezium

Milestones

1931-1946: Recce and attempts

1947: First ascent by Swiss Mountaineers led by A. Roch

1948-1980: For > 3 decades, there were no successful ascents.

1981: Second ascent

Vantage Points

Gangotri Glacier

Kalindi Khal Trek

Satopanth Lake

Vasudhara Falls

Highlights of 2010-14

Uttarakhand received Satopanth expeditions every year except 2013 during the study period. The number of expeditions went up from five in 2010 to six in 2011. Thereafter, it fell to four in 2012 and three in 2014.

Seven foreign countries accounted for more than 61% expeditions. The remaining Satopanth expeditions (38.89%) were organized by Indians.

The number of Indian mountaineer state West Bengal did not organize expeditions to Satopanth. Delhi organized highest number (4) expeditions to the peak, followed by the United Kingdom (3).

Foreign climbers took 310 days for eleven expeditions, whereas their Indian counter parts took 215 days for seven expeditions. Foreign expeditions thus were shorter (28.2 days per expedition on average) than Indian expeditions (30.7 days). But expedition from Tamil Nadu and joint expedition from Germany and Switzerland took the shortest time, twenty-one (21) days each.

Overall success rate was encouraging (66.67% | 12). Success rate of Indian expeditions was excellent (85.71% | 6) but that of foreign expeditions (54.54% | 6) was much lower than the overall rate.